Piriformis syndrome

[weeniegeniewife]

Ow freaking ow!!

Anyone experience this? If so, help! I started getting this on the left side when I was pregnant with DD 11 years ago, but it has been relatively dormant. I have been trying to exercise more lately, and it's flaring it something crazy. I can barely walk today and my lower back, butt, hip and thigh are killing me. Ibuprofen, ice, foam rolling, stretching, heat, Epsom salt baths, arnica rubs, and capsaicin patches have all done nothing.

Any other advice?

[diggitydot]

Have you tried OMT from a DO? I only experienced piriformis during pregnancy and it was awful. I had a HUGE amount of relief from it with OMT, though.

[weeniegeniewife]

Have you tried OMT from a DO? I only experienced piriformis during pregnancy and it was awful. I had a HUGE amount of relief from it with OMT, though.

Not from a DO, but from my chiropractor. It helps for a few days and then it's back. It is definitely triggered when I exercise. I have another chiro appt tomorrow so I'm hoping for some relief for the weekend!

[Michele]

I get sciatic pain that I think is related to my piriformis. (totally a self diagnosis). But if I really work on stretching my hip flexors, I get relief. It takes a few days and ibuprofen....and then I have to focus on my posture, pelvic tilt. But it helps.

[diggitydot]

Is your chiro doing low-velocity stuff? The usual "bone cracking" doesn't work well because of muscle memory.

My 1st experience with a DO was when I was pregnant with DD1. My leg was so bad that it would randomly go out from under me. Typically at inopportune times. My mom had just started working in a clinic with DOs and made me an appointment. I experienced immediate relief from the first session. I've been a giddy little osteopathic guinea pig ever since.

[medpedspouse]

Yes. Been working on it for a while now. Did the yoga, stretching, baths, etc and nothing worked too. The chiropractor (for the same reasons DD mentioned) and acupuncturist did not work either. I found a physical therapist that specialized in women's health. She explained that the piriformis would get tight and add pressure to the sciatic and then cause the sharp pain. She used myofascial release among the PT exercises. It would work but after a few months, I would get the sharp pain back. She referred me to a chiropractor that does Advanced Muscle Integration Technique...there is no bone cracking. I have now been pain free for 4 months and counting. Turns out that I had muscles that were not working as they should so others would compensate. This is the reason why some areas would get so tight. I was skeptical at first but I can say that I have actually seen improvement. I'd start with PT first because that always made me feel immediately better. Don't know if it is the same issue that is causing your pain but I thought I'd throw out there what has worked for me....I've been at it for 2 years now and finally feel a change. The other option I did not try (but wanted to so often) was to see a pain specialist and get a shot on my behind to "zap" my piriformis. I always say that such pain sucks because the last thing you want is to walk around holding your tush...it is just not that socially acceptable - ya know??

[weeniegeniewife]

So, I'm still struggling significantly with this. The pain is so bad that I was in tears most of the day yesterday (and today is shaping up to be most of the same!). My chiropractor and PT haven't helped it much this past week. My body just hasn't been healing right since my hyst; wacky hormones don't help the muscles, ligaments and joints do what they're supposed to. Sigh.

I only feel better when I take a bath or lie down in bed. DH is off next week and I'd like to be able to at least walk! Owie.

[scrub-jay]

((Huge hugs))

[houseelf]

I just was released from PT for this. My health insurance wouldn't pay for any more PT because although this affected my running, it didn't affect my daily life. Stupid effing insurance companies.

Piriformis syndrome sucks. I first thought I had lower back muscle issues. My physical therapists soon learned that my left hip rotator/flexor/periformis region has 85% of the strength of my right side. This throws the entire pelvis and lower back off. Once the mileage increases, I get a horrible sensation up my back and down my leg. Ice, gluteal massage (so very John Travolta), Icyhot, and days off help. Surprisingly, sometimes working out through the pain helps too. I do all sorts of weight training and calistinics to try to strengthen the region but I think that it is just going to be here for awhile.

Getting older is not for sissies.

Yours in pain,

Houseelf

[DCJenn]

Yes- deal with it regularly. In fact was just at the clinic today confirming that in fact again, I do not have a UTI. (that's one of the less pleasant manifestations that I get. AWESOME) When we get back from vacation my doc said she's going to refer me to a PT that specializes in pelvic PT issues. I do yoga every freaking day and it's not helping- in fact, I'd guess it's actually hurting it in some aspects. (too bad, more benefits than not from the yoga) I DO NOT ever run. That sends me over the edge immediately. Gluteal massage is KEY to manage it. If you can't find someone to dig their elbow in your butt muscle until you wan to puke, then buy a small ball- softball to base ball sized and sit on it and kind of roll it through the whole butt muscle- with LOTS of pressure.

J.

[medpedspouse]

Yes- deal with it regularly. In fact was just at the clinic today confirming that in fact again, I do not have a UTI. (that's one of the less pleasant manifestations that I get. AWESOME) When we get back from vacation my doc said she's going to refer me to a PT that specializes in pelvic PT issues. I do yoga every freaking day and it's not helping- in fact, I'd guess it's actually hurting it in some aspects. (too bad, more benefits than not from the yoga) I DO NOT ever run. That sends me over the edge immediately. Gluteal massage is KEY to manage it. If you can't find someone to dig their elbow in your butt muscle until you wan to puke, then buy a small ball- softball to base ball sized and sit on it and kind of roll it through the whole butt muscle- with LOTS of pressure.

J.

For me the PT specializing in pelvic was key. I learned that most PTs are not comfortable working on this area of the body and as such have not sought out the additional continuing ed to be able to treat this area. So, there are not many out there. In my town, we have only one... would think there are more than that in a city your size...at least I am hoping so. I, too, realized something was not right when yoga became painful. Unlike DCJenn, the digging into your muscles until you want to puke did not work for me. I would get even more tense and tightened everything. The myofascial release worked better...for me. Caution, if you have never had it, it feels like they are doing nothing at the time but you will feel sore afterwards. If you try it, don't be an idiot like I was and go workout afterwards. OMG - I wanted to cut off my lower half that evening.

I hope you find some relief because that pain is catch your breath, eyes bug out, stop you in your tracks and bring tear to your eyes painful. Let us know what works for you because it seems there are multiple therapies that can make it better. I am anxious to know that you are feeling better.

[weeniegeniewife]

Thanks everyone. Luckily, I do have a very good women's pelvic floor PT; I've actually been working with her since March, when I found out I had abdominal adhesions from my hyst last November. She is worth her weight in gold, but unfortunately, low estrogen levels have been affecting my muscles and ligaments, and this damn piriformis shit has been harder to knock out this time around. I have also been foam rolling, using a special therapy ball to release trigger points, and I have been getting a massage 1x/week. My massage therapist is coming over tonight and he's got his work cut out for him!

I'm sorry some of you suffer with this as well...it's definitely no fun!

[medpedspouse]

I do not know anyone that has had this. So, I cannot say if it is great or if there are side effects...have you considered the cortisone (I think that is what it is) injection to your piriformis muscle? I only know about it because I read online (I know, I know - eye roll). However, I was in so much pain that I was looking for all kinds of therapy.

[DCJenn]

Jamie- you've had one crappy year, my friend.

Deep, deep tissue massage combine with yoga usually works for me. There are times though that I get flu-like symptoms after those massages. Crazy. One thing my trainer/friend told me is that seated front bends are really bad - exacerbates things rather than helps them. (you know, the pose where you sit w/ your legs out in front and you touch your toes? or hang on to your feet and pull forward and down?- that one)

J

[houseelf]

There are some great exercises to build strength in this area. I do clam, reverse clam, leg plank, and bridge every day plus some leg weights. I stretch in Dove and spinal twist position. There are great resources on the internet. The key is to make sure that the pelvis is locked when doing these or otherwise what is the point. It is hard NOT to cheat so do less reps.

After marathon training, I am thinking of doing Insanity to strengthen this core area. This is definitely a symptom of underdeveloped hip aductors/flexors. I hate living with pain. all. the. time. Right now I have to be careful to work the area out enough, but not too much to exacerbate the issue. I'm also trying the Chi running concepts to ensure that my form doesn't contribute.

If there are any younguns out there reading this, heed my warning: LEARN PROPER FORM now because any small discrepancy will be a pain in the butt in the future. Literally.